A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

16 letters found

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To Ethel Marie Armes,  n.d. [1918?] , fragment ; Knox 

Sends greetings from Howard Gore, whom she saw in May 1917. Does not want to be interviewed.   Willa Sibert Cather   [Stout #417]

To Zoë Akins,  Oct. 8, [1919], from Jaffrey, N.H. ; Huntington 

Delighted to see the good review in yesterday's Times [of Déclassée, which opened at the Empire Theatre on October 6 with Ethel Barrymore in the lead]. Seems a triumph—a word that can only be used for the theater since the advent of trench warfare. Confident the play has real quality, is not just what is usually popular. Will go see it as soon as she gets back to New York.   Willa Cather   [Stout #477]

To Elizabeth Moorhead Vermorcken,  Mar. 23, [1924], from Pocono Manor Inn, Pa. ; PM 

Can hardly do any writing for fending off people inviting her to speak. Has been here to rest in a lovely setting. D. H. Lawrence and wife have been there, marvelous company. Expects to go home in a few days. So few people at the inn, hasn't been bothered by them at all. Appreciates invitation to visit, but that is something she just doesn't do. P.S.: Ethel Litchfield can tell her why. Does visit Mary Jewett in Maine occasionally, but that's really the only person.  Willa Cather   [Stout #727]

To Irene Miner Weisz,  n.d. [pm. Aug. 6, 1931] , from Grand Manan ; Newberry 

Please see August Atlantic Monthly and keep clipping. Glad to have pleased this reviewer [ Ethel Wallace Hawkins ]. Enjoying quiet of the island.   Willie   [Stout #1065]

To Elizabeth Moorhead Vermorcken,  Aug. 24, [1931], from Grand Manan ; PM 

Glad she likes the new book; many do not. The word "shadows" in the title should have given them some indication of the intent. Has enjoyed summer at Grand Manan. Will leave toward the end of September and go to California to see her mother. Isabelle and Jan have been to Brussels. Has lost track of Ethel Litchfield.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1070]

To Mary Willard [in San Francisco],  May 6, 1941 ; UVa 

Is grieved to hear of May's death. Knew her even before she knew Isabelle. Edith Lewis phoned Ethel Litchfield, who was so overcome she had to hang up without saying anything. Called back and implored her [i.e., Cather] not to die before she did because couldn't bear another death of a dear friend. Feels that way herself. Such a precious group of friends. Remembers how they enjoyed folk dancing classes. May was the best dancer of the group and the youngest-looking. Hasn't seen Ethel recently. Brother Roscoe ill in Colusa, California with a heart lesion. Don't answer, just wanted to say she shares her grief.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1540]

To Ethel Garber Cather [sister-in-law],  July 23, 1930, from Paris; postcard showing the St.-Martin's Gate in Paris ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing the St.-Martin's Gate in Paris, France
Front of postcard #1876

Going south soon to see friends near Marseilles. Sends love to Jim and children.   Willa Cather 

To Elsie Cather,  August 23 [1932?] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Is pleased that Elsie had a fulfilling summer, but hopes she will relax now and revel in accomplishments. Appreciated Bessie's lengthy letter—read it several times—but wishes she would use a soft lead pencil. Elsie was kind to welcome Ethel [Garber Cather, sister-in-law] and her children; Helen Louise and Charles Edwin surely had a fine time. Is very glad Charles got on with Jess and her sons [William Thomas Auld and Charles Auld]; he is very sensitive. Used the incorrect name [in the short story "Two Friends"] to describe the astrological phenomenon which she saw in 1893 from the Wieners' porch, and scientists are in a tizzy. Proper description is "occultation" of Venus, not "transit." The second printing [of Obscure Destinies] is revised. Heard about it first not from an astronomer but from the omnipresent Professor Phelps of Yale University. Enclosed is his response to Cather's acknowledgment, which Elsie may destroy after reading. 

To Helen Louise and Charles Cather,  January 2, [1935], postcard ; UNL-Southwick 

Is grateful for the handkerchiefs from them and the fruit from their parents [James and Ethel Cather]. Had a joyful Christmas with lots of music, but unfortunately Aunt Elsie has not had such a nice holiday. Sends much love and wishes them both a Happy New Year.   Aunt Willie 

To Ethel Garber Cather [sister-in-law], Sunday [October 21, 1928] from the Grosvenor Hotel, New York City; UNL-Southwick 

The coat is in the mail. Thinks it's lovely. If it doesn't fit, send it back to Lord and Taylor with instructions for Miss Dust in the cloak department. Lord and Taylor is a dependable store. Consider a hat to match the coat. She and Edith deliberately selected a classic style; idiosyncratic styles will soon look foolish. Helen Louise will love Ethel's getting the coat more than she would getting anything of her own—so the gift is from her, too!   Willie 

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